Brighten Your Day

Earlier this week, I was at the grocery store and while checking out, the manager—a young goth woman with a nose ring—was helping the cashier with the register when another employee came up to her. His moms car had broken down, leaving her stranded, would it be alright if he left to get her? “Go!” She told him without hesitation. “Go help your mom.” It was too busy for me to say anything, so I held it in my mind.

This weekend I was back at the grocery store and the manager was there helping the cashier bag the groceries. It was much slower this time so I had the opportunity to tell her what I had witnessed earlier in the week and how pleased I was to hear her looking out for her employees. She immediately started to tear up and beamed a smile and said thank you for noticing. She’s a new manager, only 20 years old, who worked her way up from being a cashier. She really appreciated hearing the feedback. As I was leaving, the cashier, my favorite cashier, mouthed silently to me thank you.

I often think about those who do almost thankless jobs and if they ever hear any good feedback. I try to give good feedback whenever I can even if it’s for something small. I’d like to think it makes a difference.